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Truths Concerning 
Communication and 

Thought Transmission 

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By Meta Bennett Sherrill 

Copyright, 1913, by M. B. Sherrill 



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Foreword. 

Before beginning the discussion of so im- 
portant a subject as is before us, I wish to make 
a few, preparatory remarks. 

It is understood by all minds, regardless of 
environment, that existence is, the universe w, 
our earth is. It is equally as well understood 
that these things being — as they are — there 
not only must be, but is a law to govern such 
existence. There not only is, but has been a 
governing law which has made these things as 
they are. This law not only has been, but must 
have been, beginningless ; as existence could not 
be as it is, except it had been for all time. 
Likewise, it being a law, it must be for all 
time, it must be endless. This law, from a 
natural course of reasoning, must be progress. 
A law cannot be stationary, it must move. It 
cannot move backward or it would eventually 
result in nothingness. -It is impossible to move 
toward nothingness, all things must move for- 



ward. This law is a fact which may be dis- 
cussed, but never disproved. I care not what 
appellation you apply to this law; you may 
personify the law and call it God and you are 
in truth; you may say it is the mind of the 
Divine and you are in truth; you may say it is 
the will of this mind and be in truth. What- 
ever appellation you apply, you, in doing so, 
recognize the truth and fact of this law. You 
recognize this law as the law of progress. You 
recognize also, the fact of mind in connection 
with this law. You recognize the fact of a pre- 
existing Great Mind. This law, being prog- 
ress, must include the idea of repetition hence, 
minor, individual minds in likeness to the 
Great Individual Mind; hence, minor, indi- 
vidual laws in the likeness to the Great Indi- 
vidual Law. This law, with its accompanying 
mind, has proven itself, in its fact of progress, 
beginningless and endless. It has proven itself 
by the fact of progress unchangeable, continu- 
ous without a change. This law has proven 
itself unswerving, deviating not from its path- 
way, retracing not its steps. It has proven 



itself in all things alike, great or small, material 
or spiritual, to be ever advance movement. 

The universality of this law cannot be dis- 
proved. It applies to all things from the 
God-head down. All these facts being; these 
conditions and minds existing; communication 
is as sure a fact of existence. A fact that 
cannot be communicated is not a fact and is 
non-existant. Therefore, communication is an 
integral fact in this law of existence. It but 
remains for us, my friends, to turn the pages 
of the great book of the Law and read of its 
mighty workings. 



Introduction. 

We shall take up in this little series of talks, 
a few points relating to communication between 
minds, whatever be their environment; also the 
varied forms of communication, with their 
relative values for thought transmission. 

We must with this subject, as with all 
subjects under the Law, begin with the funda- 
mental points: Minds are, individual minds exist, 
and communication in some form between these 
minds, also exists. 

It is a well known, established fact that 
communication is possible between any earth- 
plane minds, regardless of different forms of 
speech. Under similar understanding of ,one 
form, greater understanding may be possible. 
It is generally accepted by all minds who have 
an understanding, or a faith in the life beyond 
the earth-plane experience, that communica- 
tion between such minds exists. It is also 
understood that this form of communication 



must be other than the torm of vocal expres- 
sion. It remains for the average earth mind 
to understand that communication may as well 
exist between spirit and earth-plane minds, as 
between minds in similar environment. A more 
perfect understanding of mind itself, and its 
great and wonderful capabilities, would com- 
pletely settle all questions regarding com- 
munication or interchange of thought. First, 
we must understand that mind, with all its 
characteristics of individualism, will remain 
ever the same in its individualism, for all time. 
This leads to the understanding of the pos- 
sibility of communication by some form, be- 
tween any, or all minds, in any environment. 

Not wishing, in this preface talk, to encroach 
upon the subject matter in later discussions, I 
will but touch upon various points. I wish to 
emphasize in your minds the fact of com- 
munication, and in emphasizing, to wipe out 
completely the idea of any drawn line existing, 
beyond which communication would be impos- 
sible, either between minds on the other side 
of this imaginary line; or between minds 
across it. No division line exists; no change 

7 



in mind exists, the change is but in the form of 
material. Whatever change the mind may ex- 
perience is entirely due to the influence of the 
change in material; but the mind itself, aside 
from this influence of material — which cannot 
be other than temporary — experiences at no 
time a change of condition. The greatest 
change of condition which is possible for mind 
to experience, is the step into the full light of 
Truth. Under the perfect workings of the 
Law, this step is taken at inception, thus doing 
away entirely with mind change of conditions. 

The fact of communication between minds 
is a fully understood one. The means or 
medium of communication may be greatly 
varied; in fact, as varied as individuality de- 
mands. The forms or medium may have 
marked similarity; but are never identical. 

I will not pursue these thoughts further, 
leaving the various points for topic discussion. 



TALK ONE. 

The Fact of Communication. 

The fact of communication is so self-evident 
that it seemingly requires no discussion or 
proof. This being true, we shall make no 
effort towards proof; but the fact remains that 
some form of communication is not only pos- 
sible ; but is in constant use, not only between 
similar forms of material, animal organizations; 
but interchangeably as well. 

Man uses the form of vocalization, but by 
no means exclusively; indeed, he uses this form 
much less than he thinks he does. He uses the 
form with other men of his own tongue or 
peculiar form of assembling sounds, and if he 
be sufficiently learned, with those of other 
tongues. He uses the form of vocal expression 
also, in his communication with the varied 
forms of animal life with which he comes in 
contact; but the form in these cases is not 



received in the same manner as it is by his man 
friends, therefore it can be considered a dis- 
tinct form; but the fact of communication is 
not in any way affected. 

All forms of life, having any form of mind, 
are capable of some form of communication, 
if not several. The varied forms of animal life 
use the vocal expression method, some to a 
greater and some to a lesser degree; but they 
are more largely dependent upon the impres- 
sion method than is man. To be absolutely 
correct, vocal expression is not a form, it is a 
means for a form, and that form the impression 
method — thought transmission by impression. 
Even the varied forms of life, as the plant life, 
all forms other than the animal, have a means 
of communication; but it is an universal, not 
individual influence. For example: The bulb 
or seed lies snugly hidden in the earth until 
the sun and the warm winds of spring indicate 
or communicate to them the new life-springing 
time. They respond to the suggestion and 
come forth. It is indeed, a form of communica- 
tion, a form granted to man; but not as usually 
recognized by man. 

10 



All forms of communication are indeed 
granted to the man mind, and man is indeed, 
limiting, seriously limiting his powers, when 
he insists, either through ignorance or desire, 
in allowing himself but the one form, impres- 
sioned by the means of vocalization. In such 
cases the horse is greater than man, for the 
horse will make use of any form coming withm 
his scope of understanding. He will accept 
man's vocalization method, he will quite as 
readily respond to individual mind force with- 
out vocalization and will gain his impressions 
from any form of sensation which he may meet. 
Therefore in the natural state, at least, he is a 
highly sensitized plate, receiving impressions by 
many methods. 

Your own mind will express to you the 
knowledge that communication in some of its 
varied forms is a fact throughout the entire 
universe, and between all things in the universe. 
Nature communicates to the mind of man and 
communicates directly. You cannot step out 
and pluck a flower that it does not communi- 
cate to you some sensation that results in 
thought. The thought may emanate within 



11 



yourself; but the sensation comes directly from 
the flower. You cannot pick up the meanest 
insect that this insect does not communicate 
with you, that this insect does not extend from 
itself its individuality and influence which will 
result in some thought within yourself. You 
may be hardly conscious of the thought, you 
may give little heed to the communicated in- 
fluence; but the fact of its existence is there. 

Pass your mind in study through all things 
within the universe with which you are con- 
versant and you will find that there is no 
deviation from this law. When we consider 
the fact in this light — which is the light of 
Truth — then we begin to get a realizing sense 
of communication as applied to the mind of 
man, and the great power that has been granted 
to man. 

It is necessary first, in order to develop any 
power, to come to a full realizing sense of the 
power; then we may begin our study of it, 
dividing it into its varied forms. 



12 



TALK TWO. 

Needs of Communication, 

Minds, being in existence, and being destined 
through thought and understanding for eternal 
progress, the idea of communication is a neces- 
sary one. The idea of progress in individualism 
demands the fact of communication; communi- 
cation either with other, minor individualities 
or with the Great Mind. You see that the 
thought of progress pre-includes the idea of 
transmitted thought or communication. 

The actual fact of communication is uni- 
versal, whatever be the conditions of mind; 
or however varied be the mind conditions. 
In the strictly earth-plane experience, no minds 
ever meet without some form of communica- 
tion. It may or may not be a united form of 
vocal expression. The need for communication 
is ever present and is, as ever satisfied. 

Man must resort to some form of communi- 

13 



cation to be able to gain the means to retain 
material existence. This is quite as true of the 
spiritual division of existence or life. This 
need, being a vital thing, requires or demands 
satisfaction. All minds resort to any means 
available to satisfy this demand. In every 
form of means in use the same requirement for 
development exists. In the form of vocal ex- 
pression the child begins early to practice, to 
learn its lesson by desire, and only through 
long practice does it reach any perfection. The 
means of vocal expression, although appar- 
ently more satisfactory for such communica- 
tion, is not more generally used than some of 
the other forms. It is indeed, more easily 
recognized; but not more effective. The need 
or demand creates the fact, and the fact de- 
mands any means available. This is plainly 
apparent to all thoughtful minds under earth- 
plane conditions. As minds remain ever the 
same, in earth or spirit-plane conditions, the 
demand and resulting means will also remain 
the same. The spirit mind, wishing to com- 
municate, will avail himself of any means with- 
in reach. The desire being great both by the 



14 



producer and the receiver, any means, the 
easiest obtainable, will of necessity be used. 



15 



TALK THREE. 

Necessary Results of Communication. 

There must always be a need to establish a 
fact. Under these conditions results are quite 
as axiomatic. The whole need summed up in 
one thought, is the necessity of spreading the 
knowledge of the great love within the mind 
of the Great Divine, which has resulted in this 
same fact of mind communication. 

We can now reason in regard to the subject 
of communication around in a circle, proving 
our premises. 

The love within the heart of the Great 
Divine could not exist if there were no means 
of it traveling forth and being presented and 
accepted by other minds, so in likeness to the 
Divine Mind, as to be in harmony with this 
Divine Mind; hence the necessity for com- 
munication in some form. We do not need to 
have it proven to us that nothing can exist 

16 



except it throw out an influence. This throw- 
ing out of influence, must be communication 
(we are not at present considering forms). 

Going back a step, the Divine could not be, 
except he had this love. The Divine is, and 
the love must be. Mind of any kind must love 
its own, and all things within the universe hav- 
ing emanated from the Divine Mind must be 
his own. 

We had gotten to the point of the existence 
of the Divine love and its resulting, necessary 
influence which is communication. The next 
step is the result of this communication. This 
result can be no other than a broadening in 
knowledge. Every mind begins its individual- 
ity with the capacity for knowledge; but not 
knowledge. The capacity demands communi- 
cation for its development. I care not from 
whence the communication may come, directly 
and entirely from the touch of the Divine 
within, or partly from similar, more advanced 
minds, individual as its own. The communica- 
tion with the Divine Mind may be from with- 
out, as well as from within; for the Divine 
Mind is constantly in communication in every 

17 



possible way with his companion children. I 
love that term — companion children — it so en- 
tirely expresses the idea of love, uniting- the 
idea of the family tie, the beauty of parenthood, 
and the love and harmony of perfect com- 
panionship. 

The result of communication is also, life; 
and life is the most important thing in the Law. 
All forms of the handiwork of the touch of the 
Divine love respond to some form of communi- 
cation, with the result — life. You recognize 
this in nature, it is quite as true with mind. 
There is but one Law and the form of communi- 
cating this Law is exactly the same in all cases ; 
the varying results are due to, the varied forms 
of receptivity. 

Mere existence, which is less than life — rather 
the inception of life — is a result of communi- 
cation. Progress is a result, an absolutely 
necessary result. All these work around to the 
source, Love, the Divine Mind himself, and the 
circle is complete. 

A fact demands results, results demand a 
source; source, in turn, demands the fact and 
communication must be. 

18 



I shall not, in this little talk, go into a dis- 
cussion of communication between individual 
minds, whatever be the form or the environ- 
ment; but I wish to close with a question, be- 
cause I wish to leave with you this question 
for your answering. Why should the Great 
Divine, while serving all things under his Great 
Law with communication in many and varied 
forms, restrict his greatest fact of love — the 
minds of his companion children — to but one 
or two forms? Why should he restrict them 
from the enlargement of any or all forms? 
Has he done so? 



19 



TALK FOUR. 

A Passing Word, 

I think we have firmly established in your 
minds, not only the fact of communication, but 
the absolute necessity for communication under 
the existing Great Law. We can conceive of 
no other condition existing under any form of 
law; indeed, we can conceive of no other law. 
No law could exist except there be communi- 
cation. The Law, being as it is, beginningless 
and endless, progressing throughout time — 
existence being for all time without change, 
except as regards the material, which is indeed 
not the individual — communication is an estab- 
lished, understood fact. 

There should be in our minds no misunder- 
standing, much less doubts, in regard to the 
fact of communication between minds what- 
ever may happen to be their condition or 
environment ; I might say, condition due to 

20 



environment. Condition alone might interfere 
with communication between minds, but that 
would be a condition of either mind desire, or 
development; rather than a condition due to 
environment. This environment condition is 
quite as applicable to strictly earth-plane con- 
ditions; as spirit plane, or interchangeable con- 
ditions. To completely understand correct con- 
ditions for communication, we must eradicate 
entirely from our minds, the imaginary line 
between the earth and spirit planes. We 
must use these terms for convenience in ex- 
pression; but remember, the line is purely 
imaginary. We are and ever will be, one and 
the same. The only change than can possibly 
come to us is the change in accordance with 
the Law of Development. 

We shall, for convenience in expression, 
divide the thought of communication into sev- 
eral heads or forms. Communication itself is 
indeed an idea unit ; but there are several means 
by which this idea unit may be transmitted 
from one mind to another. We have chosen 
to designate these various means as different 
forms of mind communication. During this 

21 



study, however, I hope we may not lose sight 
of the fact that these varied forms are but the 
means to one, necessary, great end. 



22 



TALK FIVE. 

Different Forms of Communication Between 
Minds. 

As we have remarked many times, mind is 
mind, one and the same, whatever be its en- 
vironment, whatever be its condition, whether 
that condition be of earth-plane or spirit-planes. 

Minds vary only, in characteristics and point 
of progress. All minds know, be their condi- 
tion what it may, that the phenomenon of 
communication exists, even if they have lit- 
tle knowledge of this phenomenon and its 
many forms. 

First under this head of communication is the 
well-known form of vocal expression. Because 
it is a very customary form and one in long 
practice, man imagines he has a full under- 
standing of it. He talks of the air vibration 
caused by the breath passing over certain 
material, so-called chords, and thus producing 

23 



certain sounds, and analyzes minutely the 
phenomenon materially. He analyzes the effect 
upon the material of the mind action and ar- 
rives at the truth; but not the whole truth. 
By what means is the idea expressed by this 
vocal expression phenomenon transmitted to 
the mentality of another? Is it by the means of 
these same sound waves? Yes, to some extent; 
bu t it is the thou ght in these sound waves, not 
t he waves t hat makes its effect upo n the second 
or r eceiving mentality . No w, if it be but the 
thou ght which makes the effect, any form of 
thought transmission would produce exactly 
the same effect. 

Strong'materialism is the cause of the form 
of vocal expression for thought transmission. 
Higher developed mentalities, more sensitive 
mentalities, even at the present understanding, 
communicate by direct thought transmission 
without the aid of material, vocal expression. 

Habit is so strong* that we do not realize 
to how high a degree thought transmission 
alone, has developed, or to what degree we 
make use of this method, even while using 
the form of vocal expression. Man recognizes 

24 



this fact, but does not understand it. He often 
expresses himself as having a feeling that such 
and such a thing may be true; or, that another 
has a certain influence over him with no spoken 
word to, exert such an influence. He does not 
recognize these things as purely thought 
transmission. 

There is the form of thought transmission 
of throwing off of the actual thought as, (the 
same as) in vocal expression, and the receiv- 
ing of this thought in its entirety by another. 
This we call expression without vocalization. 
Then there is the form of thought transmission 
in which the receiving mind gets the impres- 
sion or effect; but does not get the thought. 
This is the hardest form to recognize under- 
standing^ and meet. 

There is no difference between thought com- 
munication between minds who have lain aside 
the earth-plane vestments, except in the form 
of vocal expression. To a degree, to be sure, 
those in the spirit planes retain even this for 
materialization purposes. 

We have these general forms of communica- 
tion which apply to all minds in whatever con- 

25 



dition they may be ; but in these forms are many 
degrees, almost as many as there be indi- 
viduals. Those within certain, prescribed cir- 
cles communicate by the impression or effect 
forms, without the effort of the direct thought 
transmission. We express it as a reading of 
another mind. Now, I have got into deep 
water; there are so many degrees of mind 
reading. You see we now have the shoe on 
the other foot, and the receiving mind is the 
one apparently in action. Mind reading is 
largely an individual matter; I should say an 
individualized matter. It may go through all 
the degrees from reading the actual thought or 
reading the pictures presented by the first 
mind, to interpreting the impressions received. 
This is quite as true of the strictly earth-plane 
mind as of the spirit-plane mind. 

I have gone through this long preamble to 
arrive at this one point: That minds in what- 
ever condition they may be, either both in the 
same condition, or in separate conditions, can 
communicate by one, many, or all the varied 
forms, in any of the different degrees. Direct 
thought transmission in some of its degrees, is 

26 



open to all minds. The impression or result 
form, is open to many. The form of vocal ex- 
pression, as you know, is restricted to the 
earth-plane condition. 



27 



TALK SIX. 

Communication Between Minds in Different 
En vironments. 

In regard to minds in the strictly spirit con- 
dition receiving communications in any form 
from earth minds, I wish to make these few 
explanations : The same rules obtain in this 
relation as in the relation between strictly 
spirit minds. According to different conditions, 
the receiving power of the spirit minds vary; 
however, all can receive direct thought trans- 
mission, whether it be accompanied with vocal 
expression or no. 

The spirit mind does not hear materially, 
the vocal expression; but does sense the 
thought transmission. But what is vocal ex- 
pression? I think it is generally admitted by 
all minds to be sound vibration, sound waves. 
Am I not right? The mind, although released 
from the earth-plane body, still senses all vibra- 

28 



tion, for the sensing of vibration is mental. 
It is physical only, as the mind transmits the 
idea to its own material. All the senses of 
material are material senses only as the mind 
transmits the idea; therefore, why should not 
the spirit mind be able to hear all, or any 
sound? As mind controls vibration, minds re- 
leased from the earth-plane material can con- 
trol such vibration to produce vibration as 
desired. The spirit mind does not produce the 
material sound, except for the material ear; 
and there comes in the point, the same vibra- 
tion would not make the material sound as we 
understand it, except that the material ear 
were there to receive it. The vibration is not 
the noise. The sound as we understand it, is 
an individual matter; but the vibration or wave, 
is an universal thing 1 . The spirit mind, not 
having the material ear, does not receive the 
same sound as the earth-plane ear; but the 
spirit mind sees, feels, senses and understands 
vibration and sound waves, and thus is able to 
not only receive communication by vocalization ; 
but to enjoy and be moved by the varied intona- 
tions. Every rise and fall of the voice, every 

29 



variation in tone, in pitch, in volume, has its 
individual vibration and wave, and minds so 
desiring can sense and thus hear the vibrations 
and enjoy them. 

Another point: A thought expressed by 
vocalization is, as a rule, more definitely ex- 
pressed than other thoughts; therefore the 
spirit mind receives readily, the direct thought 
transmission. All minds in the spirit condition 
can receive as readily, thoughts definitely ex- 
pressed by earth minds, without the aid of vocal 
expression. The degrees of understanding of 
the receiving minds vary to as great an extent 
as do the minds of the earth-plane. Varied 
earth-plane languages effect direct thought 
transmission, because such direct thought is 
mentally couched in some language; but step- 
ping inward one step and receiving impression, 
rather than direct thought, or thought expres- 
sion, the varied languages lose their signifi- 
cance. There are many minds that can receive 
this form of thought transmission; but it re- 
mains for the few who are in the same magnetic 
circle to receive the familiar, or innermost mind 
expressions. 

30 



In the previous discussion I have considered 
the receiving mind, as a mind in the spirit con- 
dition. There are two reasons why the vocal- 
ized expression is readily understood by spirit 
minds. One is the well formulated idea used 
in such expression, the other the actual vibra- 
tion or wave transmission which the spirit 
mind can as readily sense as the earth mind. 
This gives the vocalized thought the force of 
two mediums of transmission, both the strong- 
est forms of transmission. To these forms, in 
many instances, are added the other forms, 
giving, to be sure, a still added force. 

Definite thought transmission without vocali- 
zation is possible to every mind, in either earth 
or spirit condition; but direct thought transmis- 
sion requires development in both the giver 
and the receiver, as indeed, does every form of 
thought transmission. 



31 



TALK SEVEN. 



Added Remarks. 



This talk will be more, I fear, in the form of 
added, detached remarks, because of the points 
already covered. 

The question may arise in your minds, 
if thoughts may be transmitted without the aid 
of vocalization, and minds may be read by 
other minds, that under sufficient development, 
no mind would have individual privacy, that all 
individual thought would be an open page for 
any to read who so desired. This is a very 
natural inference; but each mind possesses, 
along with its many other gifts, a will and 
powers to exercise this will; therefore, the 
mind book may be open or closed at the will 
of the individual. It is even so with the great 
book of the Divine Mind. The Divine has so 
willed that large parts of this book be opened 
that all who desire may read; but we must 

32 



know from the natural progress of the Law 
that there are pages yet unturned for us. In 
regard to the opening or closing of this mind 
book of the individual, as in all other things, 
development is required for its perfect work- 
ing. Many minds have not so developed as 
to either open, or close the book entirely, at 
will. Others, even though no.t in the light and 
truth, may have developed strongly in this one 
line. Mind readers understand this, if indeed, 
they have an understanding of their own devel- 
opment. From some minds they get little and 
from others much. This is true of all minds 
whatever be their condition — earth or spirit 
condition. 

I might add in regard to the Divine Mind, 
that the Divine has revealed unto the minor 
mind, not only all, but much more than the 
minor mind is, at its present development, 
capable of receiving. And in accordance with 
the Law, greater revealment will keep much in 
advance of the minor mind development. There 
will be no new truths revealed, but develop- 
ment in truth. 

All forms of mind communication which we 

33 



have considered are open, under development, 
under the same conditions to earth-plane as 
well as spirit-plane minds; or, interchangeably; 
note I said under development and under same 
conditions. 

The earth-plane has the ever-ready, more ap- 
parent means of vocalization and thus feels less 
need of the other forms. As much attention 
given to the direct thought transmission with- 
out vocalization form, as to the form with 
vocalization, it would gain as great a perfec- 
tion. I should qualify that statement and say, 
universal attention, as well as individual atten- 
tion. No more misunderstanding of inter- 
changed ideas would occur under this form, 
than under the form of vocalization. In fact, 
the form without vocalization is, among all 
minds of higher development, used in connec- 
tion with the other form, by no means always 
unconsciously. The earth-plane man applies to 
it many appellations, such as power, mesmeric 
influence, oratorical power, magnetism, per- 
sonal magnetism, strength of mind, and any 
number of terms indicating an unseen power 



34 



and effect accompanying the vocally expressed 
words. 

I have not and shall not touch upon the forms 
of vocal expression used mediumistically, or 
those under the materializing phenomenon. 
The forms are indeed the same, varying but 
in individual use. 



>5 



TALK EIGHT. 
Communication by Means of Vocal Expression. 

First, let me say that I shall not stick closely 
to my topic and I ask your leniency if I digress, 
often and at length. 

I hesitate somewhat to emphasize this means 
of communication — communication by the vocal 
expression method — by discussion. Not be- 
cause this means is peculiar to the earth-plane, 
but because it is already overestimated by the 
minds in the earth-plane experience. It is in- 
deed, a worthy means — any means of communi- 
cation is worthy — but it should not be culti- 
vated to the exclusion of other means, nor 
should other means go unrecognized because 
of it. In point of fact the earth-plane man — 
although he may not understanding^ do this — 
yet, he does employ other means, oftentimes 
many other means in his desire to transmit his 
thoughts. These other means are largely em- 

36 



ployed in connection with vocal expression. 
The attitude of the bo,dy, the expression of the 
face, the gesture of the hand, as well as the 
mental attitude are indeed, as strong means 
of communication as the vocally expressed 
word. All these means or accessories are in 
constant use among earth-plane minds. The 
means by vocal expression would indeed, be 
monotonous and its power greatly lessened if 
these accessories were not employed. By their 
universal employment we have accustomed our- 
selves to the deception that they are an inte- 
gral part of the vocal expression method. The 
plain tone of the voice would mean little if 
employed without the accessory of expression 
or quality; therefore expression and quality 
may be considered the chief factors. The 
quality of music heard in the material voice 
is more often due to the accessories than to the 
voice itself. Therefore I should say, cultivate 
diligently the accessories and you will accom- 
plish two objects, a means of communication 
other than by vocal expression, and impart to 
the vocal expression method absolutely neces- 
sary qualities for highly developed thought 

37 



transmission. Especially for perfect transmis- 
sion of thought by this method, cultivate as an 
accessory the direct thought transmission. You 
will then be able to affect the mind of the 
hearer and prepare his mind for the vocally 
expressed thought. The direct thought acces- 
sory will reach his mind for assimilation an 
appreciable length of time before the spoken 
word; thus you will be able to strike twice in 
the same spot and gain great power thereby. 

In this means of vocal expression also, culti- 
vate all accessories that will prove, not only 
entertaining and interesting, but impression- 
able. Indeed, my friends, in the cultivation of 
the method of vocal expression the man mind 
has recognized all the points which I have 
brought forward; but he has expressed the idea 
differently and thus has failed to recognize the 
beauty of the truth. 



38 



TALK NINE. 
Accessories to the Form of Vocal Expression. 

I wish in this talk to discuss somewhat 
briefly, some of the points which I have chosen 
in the preceding talk, to designate as acces- 
sories to the form of vocal expression. These 
points cannot in truth be considered acces- 
sories, except as they hold this relation when 
considering the particular form of communica- 
tion, vocal expression. 

First, a few thoughts in regard to communi- 
cation as expressed by gesture, facial expres- 
sion, or any peculiarit y of manner. It is a well- 
known fact that with little practice indeed, that 
satisfactory communication may be accom- 
plished by these combined methods, if not by 
the use of them separately. If you will give 
the matter a little thought, you will readily 
discover that the method by vocal expression 
is greatly enhanced by the addition of the 

39 



aforesaid means. For instance, take the case 
of a public speaker, many listeners who are 
unable to distinguish every vocally expressed 
word of the speaker, yet, from gesture or body 
expression may receive his exact thought. In- 
deed, the man who receives with the greatest 
exactitude the thought of the speaker, is the 
man who sees every motion, rather than he who 
hears every word. A better example of this 
may be the production of a play upon the stage. 
Oftentimes it is given in a language familiar to 
but few in the audience, yet, if the actors be well 
versed in communication by facial and body 
expression, gesture and general manner, large 
audiences will be drawn and their desires 
satisfied. 

This thought may now arise: That those 
who are denied vision by the material eye 
may enjoy and gather accurately the thought 
of the speaker without being able to see the 
facial expression or gestures. This question 
leads us to another very important point in 
the consideration of thought transmission, and 
that is, the personality expressed by the indi- 

40 



vidual. This personality is the individual 
magnetism; which, in turn, is largely electrical; 
or rather, which is magnetic waves induced by 
the individual, and transmitted by the unseen 
electrical force. It is an actual force wave, 
not an imaginary impression. It is a force 
which emanates from each individual, and 
which can be controlled by the individual. 
Those who come before audiences in a public 
capacity have, or should have, cultivated this 
force to a large degree, and should understand 
the workings of this force. 

Those who come before large audiences, 
desiring to make an impression with their 
thoughts have, in the majority of cases, made 
a study of communication by all of the afore- 
said means. The study of elocution, or as 
some have designated it, vocal expression, by 
no means is understood to mean the vocally 
expressed word exclusively. To those who 
have the better understanding of elocution, the 
vocally expressed word is considered the ac- 
cessory; indeed, the last. First, comes the 
personality or the individual magnetism of the 
speaker. Second, is noted the facial and body 

41 



expression — that is, the material expression. 
You see the first is mind expression, the second 
is material expression. You have now met 
both the mind and the material of the hearer. 
Next come the vocally expressed words, ex- 
pressing the thought by vocalization accom- 
panied by the material gesture, given a little in 
advance of the vocal expression, in order that 
the two waves — the thought wave and the ma- 
terial wave — may be received and assimilated 
by the hearer simultaneously. If the material 
gesture arrives at the receiving point after the 
vocally expressed thought has been assimilated, 
it loses its entire power. Now you see, by this 
analysis, that the actual vocally expressed word 
is not more than one-fourth of the power ex- 
pended. Indeed, it is less; because of the 
greater importance of the other three-fourths. 
However, in the general man mind this is all 
included in communication by the method of 
vocal expression. 

I wish to add a few thoughts upon expres- 
sion by the pure thought transmission method. 

This method can be applied to communica- 
tion expressed generally, as a speaker to an 

42 



audience, quite as easily as the other forms. 
Indeed, if it be added to the form of vocal ex- 
pression, it will greatly enhance the power. 
Strong concentration by the speaker upon the 
point under discussion will often produce the 
desired effect in pure thought transmission; but 
a knowledge of the actual existence of this 
power and an understanding desire for the 
proper effect, will bring more perfect results. 
A perfect command by the individual of his 
own mind and powers of expression, will enable 
him, with some practice, to precede the vocally 
expressed thought, as considered above, by 
pure thought transmission, thus gaining a hold 
upon his audience and compelling them into the 
proper receptive mood for the vocal expression. 
This pure thought transmission may, by 
understanding thought concentration, be thrown 
over an audience before the speaker appears 
to their material vision; indeed, it is a custom- 
ary method employed by some speakers to 
appear to the material vision — being seated 
upon the platform — some time in advance of 
their time for direct expression. During such 
time, many are able to win large numbers of 



43 



their hearers to their peculiar form of thought. 
This is a good example of thought transmis- 
sion, accompanied by personal magnetism. 



44 



TALK TEN. 

Personal Magnetism as an Aid to Vocal 
Expression. 

The first point for our discussion in this talk 
is the effect upon the speaker, produced by 
individual, personal magnetism in the audience. 

These remarks will be quite as applicable in 
the case of two or three minds gathered to- 
gether, as in a large gathering. 

It is often true that some individual mind, 
so willing, and possessing a strong or developed 
personal magnetism, may be able to appreciably 
effect the one addressing the audience. This 
mind may be in harmony or antagonistic, as the 
case may be; but the effect is a fact and one 
often readily noted by the individual speaker. 
This effect may be produced in two or more 
ways. The force sent out may be conscious 
or unconscious. It may be induced entirely by 
the individual mind in the audience, and sent 

45 



forth from this mind to strike as this mind 
wills; or it may be simply present in this indi- 
vidual mind and the mind of the speaker may 
wander forth, meet and gather the impression. 
This would be one form of mind reading. The 
effect of the impression upon the speaker may 
be great or small, due to the degree of sensi- 
tiveness of the mentality of the individual 
speaker, or to the degree of development in 
knowledge of the same individual. 

In regard to the universal mind force sent 
out by the audience, it may or may not have 
as great an effect upon the speaker, according 
to the degree of its universality. There are few 
minds so immune to thought force, that they 
will not be affected by the universal thought 
force of their audience. If the universal thought 
force be harmonious with that of the speaker, 
all annoying or contending conditions may be 
removed and the mind of the speaker, being 
unhampered, will be able to deliver the highest 
thought waves in his possession. According to 
the degree of harmoniousness will be the degree 
of perfect thought transmission. 

These thought forces may be communica- 

46 



tion by direct thought or impression; but in any 
case the force will result in thought transmis- 
sion. 

Now in regard to the question which has 
been raised, in the case of the pure vocal ex- 
pression preceding the material vision of the 
expressing mind. 

Let me first say, that apparently the vocal 
expression precedes all other forms of thought 
transmission, yet in reality the individual per- 
sonal magnetism waves have been sent out 
previously to the material vocal expression 
waves. This is a point rather well understood 
by those who desire to make an impression 
through this form of thought transmission. 
Many times a few vocally expressed thoughts, 
preceding material visual expression, will arouse 
sufficient curiosity to enhance the value of the 
material visual and other forms; but this curi- 
o.sity is induced by the wave of desire in the 
personal magnetism; therefore, the method is 
the same; the application but differs slightly. 

The few methods of thought transmission 
remain ever the same for all time, and in all 
environments and conditions. The application 

47 



of these methods, or means, may be as varied 
as the individuals in these environments or 
conditions. 



Postword. 

In this series of talks we have made no 
attempt to prove the fact of thought trans- 
mission; nor the necessity for communication. 
These things are self-evident. We have made 
no attempt indeed, to, prove any point that will 
not upon mature judgment, prove itself to your 
own minds. We ask you to accept of the 
thoughts we have brought forth only such as 
appeal to your reason as being but truth. We 
do ask, however, that you treat the subject 
with honor and fairness ; that you eliminate 
prejudice; that you eliminate theory and search 
earnestly for truth, and truth only. If this be 
your attitude you will indeed gain but truth. 

The great Divine Law is the acma of all 
truth. It does not require theory to prove its 
premises or conclusions. It does not require 
faith to accept it in its wonderful simplicity. 
It does not require prejudice to keep us in 
harmony with its teachings. It does not re- 

49 



quire a compelling force to keep us in the pure 
light of its path. This great Law of the Divine 
requires but an open mind and an individual 
desire to receive. Therefore, I say, eliminate 
prejudice, theory and faith without knowledge. 
Faith indeed, is a gift of the Law; but not when 
it is received without knowledge. Of the two, 
knowledge is the greater; for it includes the 
faith. 

Neither does the Law demand charity; nor 
hope, except as it may possibly be applied to 
the individual desire. Why should we hope 
for that which we may have? Why should 
we have charity for perfection? The Law 
is perfection. We have every capacity, granted 
within each individual mind for harmonizing 
ourselves with this perfection, this Law. If 
we hope, let us hope that we may soon open 
our minds to its truths. If we have faith, 
let us show this faith in our searching for 
the knowledge of this truth. If we have 
charity, let us have charity for the neighbor 
whom we desire will soon receive this truth. 



50 



OCT 28 1913 






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